Ahead of the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) examination scheduled on July 27 in Uttar Pradesh, the state government and the Public Service Commission have put in place unprecedented security measures to ensure the exam is conducted with complete fairness and transparency. To prevent any malpractice, the Special Task Force (STF), intelligence agencies, and the police department have been assigned key responsibilities.
Monitor sensitive exam centres
The STF has been specifically directed to monitor sensitive exam centres identified prior to the examination. The Yogi government has also issued strict instructions to track and monitor individuals with a history of disrupting the integrity of examinations, including known cheating syndicates and repeat offenders. Those previously involved in examination-related crimes and currently out on bail will be kept under special surveillance.
Additionally, the STF will keep a close watch on social media platforms, including open forums as well as private messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, which are often exploited to spread rumors or coordinate illegal activities. Dedicated teams will also monitor coaching institutes during the examination period, and any suspicious activities will be immediately reported to the concerned agencies for quick action.
Police forces will be deployed
Police forces will be deployed at every exam centre to maintain peace and conduct strict frisking of candidates to ensure no banned items are carried inside. Armed guards and senior officers will be present throughout the process, from taking confidential exam papers out of the treasury to dispatching answer sheets after the exam.
If any candidate or person is found using unfair means during the exam, strict legal action will be taken under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
RO/ARO exam completely free
This joint effort by the state government and the Commission aims to make the RO/ARO exam completely free of cheating and ensure fairness and transparency. Officials have been given clear instructions to follow all protocols.
A senior officer will be appointed to coordinate between the Commission and the STF on the day of the exam. Additionally, in every district, a Police Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police, or Superintendent of Police will directly oversee the arrangements.
Over 10.76 lakh candidates to appear
The exam will be held in all 75 districts of the state on July 27 in a single shift from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Over 10.76 lakh candidates are expected to appear, and 2,382 exam centres have been set up across the state. Each District Magistrate has been appointed as the nodal officer to monitor all arrangements and take quick decisions when needed.
